The problem of this study was to measure the effectiveness of a public school Montessori program. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare student academic achievement and self-concept, attendance and promotion rates, and level of parental involvement in the schools of students enrolled in public school Montessori and traditional programs. The 95 subjects in this study were third-grade subjects selected from the student populations in Montessori and traditional school sites. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) was used as the pre-test scores, and the Norm-referenced Assessment Program for Texas (NAPT) was used as the post-test scores to compare academic achievement in reading and mathematics. Multiple regression was used to compare the levels of academic achievement and self-concept. Multiple regression was also used to test for possible relationship between the Montessori and traditional programs and gender and ethnicity.

O trabalho consiste na reflexão sobre a produção composicional estruturada em processos de hibridação, e a aplicação deste conceito à elaboração de uma peça para a formação instrumental de banda sinfônica, onde se promove a confluência entre gêneros e técnicas de linguagens distintas. Partindo sobre os princípios que emolduraram o conceito Third Stream de fusão entre o jazz com a música erudita, verificamos as possibilidades de ampliação dessa proposta agregando também elementos da música popular brasileira, e de acordo com os rumos tomados, conferimos alguns trabalhos que se assemelham ao dessa dissertação, no que concerne ao procedimento de hibridismo, mostrando fortes relações com as características da produção musical pós-moderna. / The work consists of the reflection about the compositional production structured on hybrid processes, and the use of this concept to the development of a piece for instrumental concert band, which promotes the confluence between genres and techniques of distinct languages. Starting with the principles that framed the Third Stream concept of the fusion between jazz and classical music, we verify the possibilities of the enlargement of this proposal aggregating elements of Brazilian music, and in accordance with the direction taken, we found some works that resemble the piece of this dissertation, in relation to hybrid procedures, showing strong relationships with the characteristics of post-modern musical production.

Given the rapidly changing nature of third party reproduction, there is an increasing need for pastoral guidance about the use of these technologies and the relationships that develop from them. This dissertation explores theological bases upon which Episcopalians can ground their practice of third party reproduction, with implications for the wider Church. Beginning with a study of Episcopal clergy and their present practices, this dissertation engages Episcopal, womanist, and feminist theological resources to forge a practical theological response. It highlights layered practices, including the development of relationships between third parties and intended parents, the abuse of third parties, and disclosure to children that call for theological reinterpretations of family, the ministerial vision of Jesus, and the doctrine of God. The thesis of this dissertation is that third party procedures offer an opportunity for Christians to enrich their relationships with one another and with God in unique and--literally--life-giving ways. The argument unfolds with qualitative research findings from Episcopal clergy interviews and it documents how the writings of F.D. Maurice and David H. Smith provide additional context for an Episcopal practical theology. It then turns to the work of Delores Williams for the purpose of arguing that, while contemporary third party reproduction potentially casts third parties as scapegoats, it does not necessarily do so. In response, it develops a six-fold application of William's ministerial vision to prevent abuse. This model in turn provides resources for Episcopal clergy to use in pastoral conversations. The next chapter discusses Sallie McFague's metaphorical theology to argue that American culture upholds the biological family as a model much as Christians have upheld patriarchal language as a model. It advocates for new language to express the God-human relationship that might in turn support the construction of broader metaphors for family relationships. Finally, this dissertation incorporates these findings into practical theological themes and questions that Episcopal priests can utilize in their work. It advocates for applying discernment when navigating loyalty claims, for thinking about reproduction as a calling, for broader constructions of family, for building awareness of how autonomy can facilitate idolatry, for encouraging disclosure and healthy boundaries, and for composing liturgies for those participating in third party procedures.

This thesis challenges one of the fundamental assumptions about Rome's political upheaval in the third century CE. This period is conventionally defined by the growing political influence of the army at the expense of the Senate, after the Severan emperors made it clear that their hold on power rested on military support. The soldiers would grow bolder in asserting their position, eventually coming to overthrow emperors at will. I present a broad reassessment of the evidence for a historical model which derives from the narratives of two contemporary witnesses, Cassius Dio and Herodian. Dio is the subject of my first discussion. I address two problems. Firstly, Dio's contemporary history survives only through Byzantine epitomes and excerpts. Its irreparable alteration means that Dio's later books cannot be treated in their own terms, but have to be contextualised against the wider thematic framework of his thousand-year account. Secondly, I turn to Dio himself. Within that framework, Dio presents himself as the ideal senatorial historian. In doing so, he is able to define a uniform senatorial experience, which excludes everything else as deriving from military corruption. An analysis of Herodian follows, also in two parts. The first analyses Herodian's construction of Roman society into three constituent parts, Senate, army and people. I show how these simplistically homogenous social units allow Herodian to explore imperial character, even as they cause inconsistencies in his political narrative. I then address Herodian's account of Maximinus Thrax. This narrative has been presented as the historical culmination of the army taking over politically. I argue instead that it represents the climax of Herodian's rhetorical scheme. Overall, the model of political conflict is built on two contemporary accounts which have specific reasons to simplify matters in their presentation of political activity. In order to understand the nature of political change in this period, I argue that it is necessary to move beyond them.

Syftet med studien är att undersöka till vilken utsträckning människor upplever att de påverkas av media i sina attityder och åsikter kring politik, Och studera åldersskillnader mellan åldersgrupperna 18-25 och 65+. Vi ville även undersöka vilken inverkan medias politiska rapportering har på respondenterna. Det gjordes en kvantitativ undersökning i form av en enkätstudie. Enkäter delades ut till 104 respondenter, 52 i åldersgruppen 18-25 och 52 i åldersgruppen 65+. Resultatet visade att det finns vissa ålderskillnader i hur espondenterna upplever påverkan från media i sina politiska åsikter. De äldre upplever att de litar mer på TV och radio än internet medan yngre i större utsträckning litar på internet. Respondenterna visade tendenser till att uppleva att andra människor påverkas mer av media än vad de själva anser sig göra. / The purpose of the study is to investigate to what extent people experience influence from media and how that affects their attitudes and opinions towards politics, And explore age differences between the age groups 18-25 and 65+. We also wanted to study what influence political media coverage has on the respondents. A quantitative study was made in form of questionnaires that were handed out to 104 respondents, 52 to the age group 18-25 and 52 the age group 65+. The result showed that there are some significant age differences in the experiences of media influence on political views. The older people had a tendency to trust TV and radio more than internet while younger people trust internet to a greater extent. The respondents showed tendencies to believe that other people are more influenced by media than themselves.

The era of Globalization fastens the pace of corporation internationalization. National boundaries are no longer limitations for the quick transportation of people, commodities or capital all over the world. Under such circumstances, ¡§global mobility¡¨ equals ¡§competitiveness,¡¨ and the concept of ¡§Third-country Expatriation¡¨ takes place coordinately. The utilization of ¡§Third-country Nationals (TCNs)¡¨ within Multinational corporations (MNCs) stands for maturity in global development. It means MNCs already possess several well-developed overseas subsidiaries which are adequate to providing competent expatriates to become TCNs. Third-country Expatriation not only assists MNCs in expanding overseas sites, accelerating regional development, building regional talent pool, but also can be used as strategic management for MNCs to foster global talents or even business successors. Nevertheless, it¡¦s indeed a pity that there are very limited researches related to Third-country Expatriation both among domestic and foreign researchers. Both practitioners and academics have treated lightly the unique role of TCNs in the international workforce. With the growing international development of domestic MNCs and newly emerging overseas markets, the importance of Third-country Expatriation related issues is definitely about to enhance. This research adopts the exploratory quantity method, and conducts the in-depth interview with three domestic and foreign MNCs. Through the examination of their Third-country Expatriation practices, this research is able to come up with a more complete and integrated study on each human resource management activities, including: the planning for Third-country Expatriation system ¡V (1) reasons for third-country expatriation, (2) types and positions for third-country expatriation, (3) the main role of third-country expatriation system¡¦s planning, and the human resource management for Third-country Nationals ¡V (1) TCNs¡¦ selection (including decision-making and selection standards), (2) TCNs¡¦ education and training, (3) TCNs¡¦ compensation management, (4) TCNs¡¦ performance management, (5) TCNs¡¦ repatriation, (6) TCNs¡¦ oversea life support system, (7) other TCNs¡¦ management practices issues. On the other hand, based on the research results, this research also provides some essential suggestions and advices for domestic Taiwanese companies who plan to develop Third-country Expatriation system in the future.

¡@¡@¡@This study aimed to examine the third-person effect of product placement in the television news, for clarifying the effect of persuasiveness of news with product placement and comparing the assessment of the impact on others and themselves. The study also concerned about the media literacy if it can help the audience to identify the messages of persuasive intention, to evaluate the impact of product placement in the television news is greater on others than on themselves, and to support the government to prohibit product placement in the television news. ¡@¡@¡@In this study, the main research method was questionnaire survey, and the research participants were junior high school students from three sections in Kaohsiung. There were 476 valid questionnaires totally. Data were analyzed by methods of independent t-test, paired t-test, correlation and hierarchical regression analysis. The results found that product placement of television news would cause the third-person effect: messages of product placement of different levels would result in different intensities of third-person perception. Compared to implicit-style placements in the television news, obvious ones triggered strong media impact on others, but did not trigger third-person perception differential. It meant people tend to view product placement in the television news had impact on others as well as on themselves. ¡@¡@¡@Another focus of this study was personal media literacy ability. Analytic results showed that literacy ability was a better predictor of the third-person effect perception. The result of the study was similar to the findings of the past research: media literacy could assist in identifying the purpose of product placement in the television news, and could avoid the perceived effect of media messages on themselves (Cohen, 1982; Rucinski & Salmon, 1990; Wei, Lo & Lu, 2008). ¡@¡@¡@Most importantly, this study contributed to the growing literature on behavioral component of the third-person effect by demonstrating that the third-person effect perception was a great predictor of support for restriction of product placement in the televiton news than the third-person perception differential. The reason was that the third-person perception differential could not distinguish perceived effects of product placement in the television news on others as well as themselves (Wen-Hui Luo, 2000b). As research result of Xu and Gonzenbach on the behavioral component of the third-person effect, third-person perception differential was the most significant predictor of support for media censorship. Therefore, this study suggests that future research could probe into the mechanisms through which the third-person effect of product placement in the television news occurs.

When one researches the city, the neighborhood appears as an indispensable building block. Kevin Lynch, In The Image of a City, suggests that neighborhoods are "the basic element of the city" and the main way "most people structure their city". Furthering the idea of the neighborhood as a building block of the city, Sidney Brower discusses the need for different types of neighborhoods to allow for a diverse social setting to create diversity in the city. The research put forward by Lynch and Brower shows the idea of the neighborhood as a strong concept in older cities. However, the concept of the neighborhood has become less apparent in the modern cities and should be revisited in order for the neighborhood to once again be a substantial entity in the city. In The Great Good Place, Ray Oldenburg discusses the idea of three realms of life and the balance needed to live a fulfilling life. The first realm centers on the domestic, the second on the productive, and most significantly, the third realm centers on the social aspect. In modern neighborhoods, the idea and the architecture that make the social realm has been lost and must be reintroduced. The significance of reintroducing the third realm is the creation of a strong socially defined neighborhood and one that becomes a more identifiable part of the city. With the concept of the third realm in mind, this thesis posits the introduction of a fully integral layer of social programming that responds to a specific neighborhood condition. This way of conceiving the neighborhood and building upon the existing Main Street, the third realm will serve to facilitate a greater sense of neighborhood place.

Magistro baigiamajame darbe, remiantis Lietuvos bei užsienio valstybių teisės aktais bei teisine literatūra, apžvelgiamas sutarčių trečiojo asmens naudai istorinis vystymasis Lietuvoje bei kitų valstybių praktikoje, sutarties trečiojo asmens naudai samprata bei elementai, kurie atskleidžia šios sutarties ypatumus bei sutartis, kurios savo prigimtimi yra pripažįstamos sutartimis trečiojo asmens naudai. / The final paper to obtain the Master’s degree deals with the historical formation of contracts of third parties in law practice in Lithuania and in other countries, to the conception and the elements of contract of third parties on the basis of legal reference and interpretation of law acts in Lithuania and foreign countries, contracts which by their nature belong to contract of third parties. The final paper to obtain the Master’s degree deals with issues related to contract of third parties. It consists of four parts. In the first part author summarizes the historical formation of contract of third parties in law practice in Lithuania and in other countries. The second part is devoted to the conception of contract of third parties and its place in civil law in different countries. The third part discusses the elements of contract of third parties by establishing the particularity of these contracts and underlining their differences in comparison with other types of contracts. The author attempts to summarize the juridical facts, which are necessary for third party to become a creditor. This part also analyses the situation of the claim when the third party has an ability to gain it from the contract or from law acts. Next in this part the role of creditor in the contract of third parties is analyzed. The fourth part of final paper is devoted to the contracts which by their nature belong to contract of third parties. The purpose of final paper to obtain the Master’s... [to full text]

Due to the profound impact that aphasia has on both the person with aphasia and their close family members, aphasia is a family problem. Aphasia is a communication disorder, most commonly caused by stroke. It is associated with impairments in spoken language, understanding, reading, and writing that impact upon daily activities, participation in society, and the quality of life of those with the condition and their family members. However, family-centred rehabilitation programs, policy, and funding are not well established. In the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), the World Health Organization introduced the term “third-party disability” and identified the need for further investigation into family members’ functioning and disability in relation to a significant other’s health condition. In this thesis, the term “third-party functioning” is used to describe positive and/or neutral changes to a family member’s functioning as a consequence of a significant other’s health condition; “third-party disability” describes negative changes. The overall aims of this thesis are to: i) describe third-party functioning and disability in family members of people with aphasia post-stroke, and ii) develop the Significant other Scale for family members of people with Aphasia (SOS-Aphasia), a scale for measuring third-party functioning and third-party disability in this population. Two systematic reviews were conducted to provide a summary of the current literature related to family members’ third-party functioning and third-party disability secondary to aphasia. Positive/neutral and negative findings were extracted from included articles, then synthesized and mapped to the ICF. These reviews showed that family members experienced third-party functioning and third-party disability secondary to aphasia in the Body Functions and Activities and Participation components of the ICF, in addition to the development and exacerbation of health conditions. The results laid the groundwork for the qualitative-quantitative sequential mixed methods study that followed. In the first phase of the study, qualitative methods were used to explore the positive and negative effects of aphasia on family members, thus expanding and confirming our existing understanding of third-party functioning and third-party vii  disability. Twenty family members participated in individual in-depth semi-structured interviews, which were analysed using qualitative content analysis with research codes subsequently mapped to the ICF. The results revealed five categories of positive/neutral aphasia-related changes, including: (1) emotions (e.g., focusing on the positive); (2) communication (e.g., talking to the person with aphasia more); (3) relationships (e.g., making new friends); (4) recreational activities and social life (e.g., taking up new hobbies); and (5) paid/volunteer work or education (e.g., volunteering to help people with aphasia). In addition, seven categories that described the negative effects of aphasia on family members were revealed: (1) physical, mental, and emotional health (e.g., tired); (2) communication (e.g., difficulty communicating with the person with aphasia); (3) relationships (e.g., lack of physical intimacy between spouses); (4) recreational activities and social life (e.g., restricted social activities); (5) paid/volunteer work or education (e.g., took extended time off work); (6) domestic and caregiving responsibilities (e.g., transporting the person with aphasia places); and (7) finances (e.g., loss of person with aphasia’s income). Research codes were mapped to two domains within the Body Functions component (i.e., Mental functions and Functions of the digestive, metabolic and endocrine systems) and eight domains within Activities and Participation components of the ICF (i.e., Learning and applying knowledge, General tasks and demands, Communication, Self-care, Domestic life, Interpersonal interactions and relationships, Major life areas, and Community, social and civic life). Health conditions (e.g., depression and anxiety) associated with the aphasia of a significant other were also identified in family members. Mapping of the qualitative research codes to the ICF demonstrated how the ICF framework could be applied to family members. The second phase of the study involved the development and validation of the SOS-Aphasia. The SOS-Aphasia items were derived from the constructs of third- party functioning and third-party disability identified in the qualitative study and the response scale format was based on the ICF. Following the development of the SOS- Aphasia, 104 family members completed the original 34-item version. Factor analysis and Rasch analysis were used to examine the underlying structure and internal construct validity of the SOS-Aphasia. Test-retest reliability and feasibility were also investigated. Based on the analysis, five SOS-Aphasia subscales were identified and viii 10 items marked for deletion. The revised 24-item SOS-Aphasia demonstrated preliminary evidence of good psychometric properties. In summary, this series of studies demonstrates that family members experience third-party functioning and third-party disability, as well as changes to their health, secondary to a significant other’s aphasia. In addition, the SOS-Aphasia shows validity and reliability in measuring third-party functioning and third-party disability. Together, these findings provide the motivation for the inclusion of family members of people with aphasia in a family-centred care model with implications for research, practice, and policy.